- The 36-year-old Lewis Hamilton starts his last contract this weekend in Bahrain – a one-year deal with Mercedes.
- Hamilton is the front runner in victories and Poland in Formula 1, hoping to break a tie with Michael Schumacher for the all-time title run. Both all-time bests have five world championships.
- McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown believes this is Hamilton’s last year at Merceds.
Lewis Hamilton all asks if people shouldn’t look too much into his current one-year Formula 1 deal to drive for Mercedes.
Seven-time champion Hamilton hit back on the Thursday before the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix that weekend that his mere one-year deal could mean he plans to leave Mercedes or even the series after the 2021 season.
“The one-year deal I wanted doesn’t mean I’m tired. I don’t run away when things get tough,” said 36-year-old Hamilton. “I am fully committed to this sport.”
“We have regulation changes next year that are exciting and this season could be the most exciting yet. We have new teams, new formats and it’s getting closer. In the next eight months I’ll find out if I’m ready stop, but I don’t think I’ll do it. “
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Hamilton, who was third fastest in the second of two training sessions on Friday, also said his decision will have nothing to do with whether he will win a record world title in eighth place this season. And the eighth championship would break Hamilton’s record with Michael Schumacher.
This week in Bahrain, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said he believes Mercedes will start into 2022 with an entirely new driver line-up – Max Verstappen alongside George Russell.
Verstappen heard the rumors.
“Red Bull is the team that gave me the chance to get into Formula 1 when I was young,” Verstappen told De Limburger newspaper in Bahrain when he was asked about the Mercedes rumors. “I want to reward this trust. At the moment I see no reason not to remain loyal to Red Bull Racing.”
Much more open to his Mercedes ambitions is 23-year-old Russell, who was so impressed when he was called up from his regular Williams seat to replace the sick Hamilton late last season. Russell was asked by the Kronen Zeitung newspaper if he had caught up with Hamilton in Bahrain since that replacement trip.
“We haven’t spoken at all since then,” said Russell. “But our relationship is good – we have no problems with each other. Honestly, I don’t know what he could have said after the race. I don’t know how I would have felt if someone had raced in my Williams seat. “
Russell’s relationship with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is clearly better.
“My relationship with Mercedes and Toto Wolff is stronger than ever,” said Russell, according to Italy’s Mediaset. “You know my situation. You know that I want to fight for wins and the championship. You saw what I can do in Bahrain. So I just have to focus on myself. I don’t have to emphasize it.”
“In the past I tried to force things, but now it’s different. I’ve been a Mercedes driver for six years. They are my second family and when it happens, of course it will.”
Russell expects the uncertainty about the Mercedes driver situation to become clear during the summer break.
“I’m sure the story will produce a satisfactory result for everyone involved – Mercedes, Williams and the drivers,” said Russell. “I’m getting stronger every year and I think I’m at a level where I can fight for wins and the title. But let’s see. Formula 1 is an unpredictable business, so it’s better not to take anything for granted . “
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